This is one is composed of an incredible 142 separate shots. I wish I had that kind of patience. [p0psharlow via Flickr via Cult of Mac]

Apparently, Bhutanese politicians are addicted to computer gaming and "pictures," whatever that may be. They have protested, arguing that laptops are more convenient than carrying around bundles of papers, but they would have to go back to the porn mags and real poker cards. [Reuters via South Asia Biz]

Now she's suing Sprint and Daryl for $1 million—her husband, David, adds in the filing that the toll on his wife from the pictures has cost him the "services, companionship, love, affection and consortium of his wife." Daryl says that's total BS, they had corresponded over text messages, and she had asked for photos of him and that she actually "expressed her appreciation for receiving such photographs."

Usually the truth lies somewhere in the middle, but honestly, I don't want to get anywhere near this thing, much less thrust my consciousness into the center of it. [Dayton Daily News via Crunchgear]

There are two major types of image sensors for digital cameras and camcorders: CCD (charged-couple device) and CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor, sometimes also known as active pixel sensor). We're not going to get into the really geeky differences, because you don't really need to know or care. What you should know is that higher-end digital SLRs (the big cameras with a removable lens) use CMOS because it's easier to make bigger CMOS sensors; and mobile phones do because CMOS uses less power. That said, most point-and-shoot cameras and most camcorders use the more common CCD sensor.

The big thing about image sensors? Size matters. And we're not talking megapixels. Half the reason shots taken with a DSLR look so much better than the ones taken with your backpocket point and shoot is that the DSLR's image sensor is massive in comparison. The difference can be even more stark when you compare shots from a 2-megapixel cameraphone with a standard 2-megapixel camera. (The other half is the lens—pros will tell you it's all about the glass—but we're talking sensors here.)

You see, in order to cram more and more pixels onto tiny sensors—think $150 cameras claiming to rock 10 megapixels of awesome—you've gotta make the pixels smaller and smaller, which a) makes photos look grainy and b) makes the sensor suck at picking up light. The result: Low-light shots look like they're off a security camera from 1997, especially when you crank up the ISO (light sensitivity) setting. When a point-and-shoot promises you shots at 1600 ISO, it's generally a sacrifice you don't want to make: unuseable pics full of rainbow-colored noise.

The best DSLRs use 35mm sensors, that is, a sensor that is the same size as a frame of standard film. This is known as "full frame." The D3, Nikon's biggest, baddest DSLR camera, costs $5,000 but only shoots at 12.2 megapixels. By contrast, its Canon competitor rocks 23. Still, the D3 beats all comers in low-light shooting, mainly because its 36 x 23.9mm sensor doesn't try to shove a bunch of megapixels onto it. By better, we mean that the pictures have less noise (that rainbow-colored grain). It's also why rumors of a new 24.4-megapixel Nikon spark some concern—there's no way it'll shoot as well in the dark. Sony promises to release a 25-megapixel Alpha DSLR this September. It will be sweet, but being the highest in megapixels doesn't guarantee its place in the winner's circle.

So when you're out camera shopping, don't think that more megapixels is more better. A lot of review sites will list the size of a camera's image sensor (plus the other stuff obviously) and a 6MP camera with a sensor the same size as an 8MP model is gonna take better pictures. Check out these two Kodak point and shoots from CES, the m1033 and Z1085. Same megapixel count, but the Z1085 has a bigger sensor (1/1.7-inches is larger than 1/2.3-inches, non-math majors) and will almost certainly shoot less noisy pictures.

Of course, a DSLR will take better shots than any point-and-shoot, but while DSLRs are getting cheaper every day (only $475 for a Nikon D40 or $450 for a Canon Digital Rebel XT (both with lens) that might not fit everyone's budget. Plus, they don't fit in your pocket, like your dumb cameraphone.

Something we missed, or you still wanna know? Send any questions about cameras (or anything else) to tips@gizmodo.com, with "Giz Explains" in the subject line.

It's no badass like the 7200dpi Plustek OpticFilm 7300, but it costs $100 less and goes beyond most standard scanners, including a 5-megapixel CMOS sensor, 1800dpi resolution and 10-bit color. It doesn't look like it's got a sheet feeder; instead it has a tray specifically suited to 3x5, 4x6 and 5x7s. Drop 'em in, press a button, and presto, it magically becomes a picture on your computer screen—if you have Windows, that is. [Hammacher]

According to Fox News, police detectives have "seen everything from your basic striptease to sexual acts being performed." Our new favorite job ever? Being the evidence inspector on teen naked picture swapping cases.

"A lot more girls are aggressive," said Ray, 18. "Some girls are crazy and they are putting themselves out there."

And then...

Male teens are also doing it.

For instance, a central Ohio high school teen made a sexual cell phone video of himself and sent it to female classmates. One of the girls forward the Westerville South High School's video to at least 30 other people.

Here's a question for you.

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The electrode in the pic above was attached to a rotating apex, once turned on, the revolving surface was fed by an electricity supply, which gave rise to the effect above via a multiplier. Using various photography techniques, the images above were captured. Disconcertingly, the hot electrode was quite close to the user's face, maintaining a constant distance away by only a few centimeters. We have to ask; when will this madness stop? Electrocution is not cool. [Tesladownunder]

The look of the alleged store appears to be very similar to installer.app, and why not? It sure as hell works. Strangely, the applications already had a shed load of user ratings, but if this is part of Apple's testing routine, that fact is probably not too out of place. What do you, the discriminating public make of it all? [Monsterandfriends via Modmyifone]

Apparently, Nokia has already begun embedding new N95s with the links required for direct access. Nokia confirmed that an official announcement may come before the week's end. Further, it is not only N95 that is going to be let in on the action, more handsets are set to be made compatible once the service launches proper.

The structure for content delivery has not been confirmed in its entirety, but as an example, the News Corps. partnership means users will be able to get free access to "mobisodes" such as 24, as well as various movie clips. Blam's decision to go down the N95 road seems to have been a good move after all. Phew. [The Hollywood Reporter]

Aperture: F-stops are different settings allowing different amounts of light to enter your camera. This is different from exposure, in that the aperture is that funky iris/anus looking thing that is a series of connected sheets that either open or contract to make a hole get bigger or smaller.

Doesn't everything get much simpler when it's explained in terms of anuses? – Jason Chen

How to take AWESOME night photos WITHOUT a tripod [Instructables]

Image Credit

Product Page [Via Outblush]

8-inch electronic photo frame with mp3 play back [AVING]

The frame can be loaded up with images through a variety of ways. It includes a memory card reader that supports most memory card types for direct photo-viewing, but it can also hook up to your home network via an optional direct or wireless Ethernet connector. It can also receive images from PicturePlan. PicturePlan is Ceiva's monthly service that allows you to display new photos everyday, also send pictures to the digital frame from anywhere in the world and even allow picture sharing which may or not be the greatest of ideas (Goatse during Christmas dinner, anyone?). The frames begin at $150 and the PicturePlan service starts at $7 per month. – Travis Hudson

Ceiva Revamps Digital Photo Frames [Digital Trends]

Keyboard Monument [englishrussia]

Product Page [Via Newlaunches]

Westinghouse's new DPF-0701 photo frame can not only display your community college graduation picture, it can simultaneously show your kid's first step and your wedding pictures as well. The "MosaicView" enabled frame has 16MB of memory, which holds around 200 photos.

Not only does this show pics, it can support Motion JPEG, MPEG1 and MPEG4 as well. It measures 7 inches and ships in July for $199. – Jason Chen

Head over there to see unpacking of iMacs, iPods, Robot Design kits, UMPCs, and of course, the MacBook.

Unboxing [Thanks Josh!]

The frame should be available online and off for about $280 starting in July.

[BestStuff]

Product Page [Smarthome]